Eight South American nations will have been involved in the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifying process by the time the region's automatic qualifier is determined next year.
Having had three representatives for the first time in France 2023 – perennial participants and losing semi-finalists Argentina, debutants Chile and Uruguay – the hope is that there will be at least the same number when the world of rugby reconvenes in Australia in three years' time.
Costa Rica, Perú and Venezuela started on the road to Australia last week, yet it was Colombia, playing at home at the Cincuentenario Stadium, in Medellín, the city of the eternal spring, that won the four-team tournament, namely Phase One of the qualifying journey.
The winner will now play in a play-off against Paraguay, who finished in last place in Phase Two qualifying, having suffered big defeats to Brazil and Chile. The winner will then qualify to next year’s Sudamericano 2025, the end of the regional qualification pathway.
Colombia rip up the record books
Played over two rounds, Phase One had the Venezuelan Orchids beat the Peruvian Tumis 27-15 in a game in which both sides tried to impose their physicality. Yet it was the team from the northern tip of South America that managed the win.
Perú opened the scores with an early try from Matías Vascones but with two quick tries in six minutes, Venezuela took the lead and never relinquished it, scoring five tries, two in the second half.
The second game was a one-sided affair, with the Colombians scoring 20 unanswered tries against a Costa Rican side that was playing under the nickname Los Bocaracas (which translates to a venomous snake).
However, it was Costa Rica who felt the bite of the higher-ranked Colombians. Rangy full-back Alejandro Guisao, in particular, was unstoppable, scoring eight tries in the 136-0 win. It is Colombia's highest test score and the biggest win in test rugby in 20 years.
Eight other players got amongst the tries in an experienced Tucanes side well coached by former star José Diosa Gómez. Inside centre Jhojan Ortiz only missed only two of his conversion attempts.
With Perú beating Costa Rica 44-0 to finish third, the final was also one-sided. Colombia could afford to let eight-try hero Guisao watch from the stands, to focus on his upcoming university exams, as they booked their ticket to the next phase of qualifying with a 50-5 win over Venezuela.
Who goes through?
Colombia now travel to Paraguay, to take on the Yacarés on Saturday, 12 October. The hosts will try to get their act together after big losses against Brazil 77-17 and Chile 64-0 in order to earn their place in the Sudamericano 2025.
Paraguay have won the last two meetings post COVID-19 but Colombia did put 50 points on them as recently as 2019.
Chile host Brazil a week before the Paraguay-Colombia shootout to decide the winner of Phase 2, with no other reward than bragging rights going ahead of the real deal next year.
Sudamericano 2025, which will be played on a home-and-away basis, will provide a Rugby World Cup berth to the champion team. The runner-up will then play against the last placed team in Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (excluding already qualified teams) for an additional ticket to Australia.
The third placed Sudamericano team – and the loser of the South America/Pacific play-off – will play in the Final Qualifying Tournament, along with the fifth place team in Rugby Europe Championship 2025 and the Africa/Asia Play-off winner. The winner of that tournament will become the 24th and final team in the RWC 2027 line-up.
